When your health care team talks with you about your weight before surgery, the goal is to keep you as safe and health as possible during and after your operation. These conversations are meant to support you, not to judge you.
Just like we talk about heart health with people who have heart problems, we talk about how weight may affect anesthesia (the medicine that puts you to sleep), healing, and recovery from surgery.
Every patient - no matter their body size - deserves respectful, high-quality care. Talking about these health factors like weight helps your care team give you the best support.
Why Does Weight Matter Before Surgery?
Carrying excess body weight can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery such as breathing or heart issues, blood clots, wound infections, slower healing, and longer hospital stays. Not everyone experiences these complications, but as BMI increases, the chances of certain risks may increase.
To reduce your surgical risk, your health care team may:
- Screen for conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, or heart problems
- Refer you to an anesthesiologist for extra planning
- Suggest seeing a sleep specialist or obesity medicine specialist
This helps your health care team create a personal plan for anesthesia, pain control, and recovery.
How is Obesity Identified?
Doctors often use Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares weight to height, to help identify potential health factors before surgery. BMI can be helpful, but it does not tell the whole story because it does not consider:
- Muscle mass and bone structure
- Ethnicity
- Other health conditions like high blood pressure, insulin resistance, or diabetes.
This is why your health care team looks at other health measures like waist size, diabetes, heart health, sleep problems, strength, mobility (your ability to move around), and daily function.
What Can You Do Before Surgery?
You can do a lot to make surgery safer and recovery faster:
- Ask questions - Your health care team is here to help, not judge.
- Share your goals - Whether it is feeling stronger, sleeping better, or managing health conditions like diabetes, your health care team wants to support you.
- Share your challenges - If time, mobility, or money make things difficult, your health care team can connect you with helpful resources.
- Stay active - Even small amounts of movement can make your lungs, heart, and muscles stronger for surgery and recovery (Refer to the Getting Active section for more information).
- Eat balance meals - Balanced meals with more protein and vegetables and less added sugar help your body heal. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated (Refer to the Nutrition section for more information).
- Follow through with referrals - Specialists are part of your plan to support your safety.
We know conversations about weight can be hard. Your health care team is committed to:
- Respecting every body
- Looking at your whole health, not just weight
- Helping you prepare for surgery in a way that feels empowering and supportive
Where to Learn More
Learn more about healthy weight, healthy eating, and physical activity at Healthlink BC or Obesity Canada